Town views divided as Lidl set for green light

Plans for a new Lidl store have divided opinions in the town

A plan to build a fourth supermarket in a Herefordshire town, alongside new health and childcare facilities, has been recommended for approval.

Herefordshire Council's planning committee will decide next Wednesday whether Ledbury will get a new Lidl, medical centre and nursery by the Leadon Way-Ross Road roundabout, south-west of the town.

The plan, submitted by the grocery chain last December, was opposed by about 20 residents and supported by nearly 40.

Representatives of the Co-op said its store in New Street was "already under-trading" and there were serious concerns that trade would be diverted to the new store.

The Co-op said the impact was likely to grow with the opening of a branch of Home Bargains, expected next year.

Health centre 'critical'

Representatives from Tesco, which has a superstore north of the town centre, said a previous planning bid by Lidl had been refused and was dismissed at an appeal in 2022, adding that a planning inspector had found both Tesco and the Co-op supported the town centre.

A retail analysis prepared for Herefordshire Council concluded the "level of trade diversion" from the new Lidl would not cause "a significant adverse impact" on the town.

The scheme is recommended for approval subject to conditions

Dr Lisa Carpenter, senior partner at Ledbury Health Partnership which serves over 13,500 patients and is at capacity, said the new health facility was of "critical importance" in meeting "the urgent and growing needs of our community".

However, Ledbury Town Council said an out-of-town location for health services went against local planning policy, and links to walking, cycling and public transport networks would be "wholly inadequate".

Planning officer Ollie Jones recommended councillors pass the scheme, subject to 30 conditions and an agreement with Lidl to fund the medical centre.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.